What do you see in your mind’s eye when you read these names: Pooh, Knuffle Bunny, Corduroy? And let’s not forget Bernice. Do they call to mind something small and treasured? Something that feels both real and magical because it’s so dearly loved? (Never mind that Bernice, a little girl’s beloved butternut squash, is also something to…eat.)
These characters in children’s literature take on what Margery Williams, author of The Velveteen Rabbit, described as a realness that’s earned: “‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time — not just to play with, but REALLY loves you — then you become Real.’” Adored childhood bestie-beasties were our safe space. Inanimate but intimate. They heard our secrets, caught our tears, and slept cozily in our arms.
Did you have a beloved stuffie or doll — one you hung onto no matter how many years passed? If you were to close your eyes and think back, could you conjure up the texture of that dear, one-of-a-kind little friend? Can you almost smell its singular scent?
When I was a toddler, I had a series of stuffed white kitties I loved to pieces — literally. I can remember their softness and that ever-familiar whiff of fur, filling, and masking tape that held the rips together. I recently asked my 86-year-old father about the kitties my parents had to keep buying me because I’d be inconsolable whenever one was lost or fell apart: “Your mother and I would stock up on stuffed cats because you’d wear them out every few months by carrying them everywhere. Late at night, we’d carefully take the old, worn-out kitty and substitute a brand new one. We couldn’t always find an exact replacement, though we tried. This went on for four years!”
Some of my ragtag stuffed kitties still live on … in a box so that my dogs, who are obsessed with them, can’t reach. Every so often, I look at these timeworn toys, remembering. I do the same when thinking about my Aunt Kristie, who was a lover of Winnie-the-Pooh and all things Teddy bear. I inherited some of her tiniest stuffed animals, with their delicate, articulated limbs. They’re old but intact. She must have taken really good care of them.
Inspired by old toys and the small best friends we can hold in our hands, I began writing a story about a young girl and her unique support system. That girl, May, often felt overwhelmed in a fast-paced, loud, and “people‑y” world. Certain places and spaces were unpredictable and hard to fit into. But like every child, May also experienced wonder, curiosity, and a deep need to be seen for who she is. One day, May made a wonderful discovery: a hairy, leggy stuffed spider left in a bargain bin. As soon as May invited “Harriet” into her world, the adventures — and a new sense of safety — began.
Like a squash, Harriet was, for some, an acquired taste. Not for May, though. Why, just think of all the amazing things an eight-legger can do!
Best of all, long-legged Harriet was an extra-special hugger. With her spider beside her, May gained confidence exploring the world at her own pace, on her own terms. As a mom who has raised two neurodivergent kids, I wanted to shine a light on sensory issues and special needs. While writing Make Way for Harriet and May, I felt it was important to have May choose Harriet herself — and keep choosing her, no matter what others said. That’s part of the magic of childhood: picking your first furry friend and keeping it close, even as it becomes faded and tattered over time.
“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” (The Velveteen Rabbit)
Time makes our beloved stuffies or toys more beautiful, at least in our own eyes. Like my crew of kitties. Like a stuffed bunny with a funny name. Like a huggable gourd with a magic-marker face. Or like the special toys you had way back when.
If you want to take a further look into the topic of comfort creatures, I’ve listed some picture books that have inspired me:
Corduroy
written and illustrated by Don Freeman
The Viking Press, 1968
This tender classic, told from the stuffie’s perspective, celebrates an overalls-clad Teddy bear who resides in a busy department store. He hopes to be chosen by a child who will adore him and take him home. His missing button deters some…but not Lisa, a little girl who sees Corduroy’s simple and lovable charm.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Hyperion, 2004
A Caldecott-Honor book, Knuffle Bunny tells the endearing tale of how toddler Trixie and her wide-eyed stuffed bunny have a problem at the local laundromat. “AGGLE FLAGGLE KLABBLE!” Is Knuffle B. lost forever? First friends — and first words — are the theme. Knuffle Bunny Too and Knuffle Bunny Free are sure-to-please follow-ups to the original story.
Lubna and Pebble
written by Wendy Meddour
illustrated by Daniel Egneus
Dial Books, 2019
This heartbreaking-heartwarming book, which has won multiple awards, introduces a refugee girl named Lubna and the tiny pebble that brings her comfort during uncertain times. Pebble has a face drawn with a felt-tip pen and lives in a shoebox. Lubna loves Pebble, who always “… listened to her stories [and] always smiled when she felt scared.” When a little boy arrives in the World of Tents, Lubna realizes that he might need Pebble even more than she does.
Nubby
written by Dan Richards
illustrated by Shanda McCloskey
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2023
This book is a laugh-out-loud-er. Poor Nubby (a stuffed rabbit): on page one, he is done. He has absolutely had it with being “… carried, buried, dropped, dragged, torn, worn, chewed on, sat on, and even used as a nose wipe” by the boy who loves him — and the family dog too. Nubby sets out to find fame, fortune, and a better life. But what he learns along the way is altogether unexpected (at least to him). Maybe all those repeated nuzzles and squeezes were what made him real. And real happy, too.
Owen
written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow Books, 1993
In this Caldecott-Honor-winning story, Owen is a childlike mouse who adores his yellow blanket named Fuzzy. Fuzzy goes everywhere with Owen — inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, and everywhere in between — just as any good comfort object should. But what about school? Can you really carry a torn and tattered, food-stained fuzzy all day long? There just might be a pocket-sized solution to Owen’s big dilemma.
Sophie’s Squash
written by Pat Zietlow Miller
illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
Another classic award winner, this book introduces Sophie and her beloved butternut squash — “Bernice” — that Mom wants to cook for dinner. “Don’t listen, Bernice!” The lesson here is that friends come in all shapes, sizes … and flavors. Together, Sophie and her squash spend their days somersaulting, cuddling, and living the good life. But what happens when Bernice shows signs of aging, spotting, and rotting? Eek! Never fear, Sophie is here. A sweet tale about a unique, funny, and enduring friendship.
As you can see, I love a good “stuffie” story. I hope my book Make Way for Harriet and May provides a relatable hero for young readers, while celebrating the unique — and huggable — comfort objects they hold dear.
Oh, one last thing: It’s true my parents spent four years trading out small stuffed kitties in the dark of night as I slept. But look what happened when I turned five!
Great article, Elizabeth! It makes me wonder if the way stuffed animals become real to children is the start of the storyteller part of young brains trying to make sense of the world around them.
Steve, thanks! I think you must be right about that…I never thought of the storyteller aspect but it makes so much sense. Now, looking back, I remember acting out stories with my little cats. 🙂
As your sister, you already know what kind of huggable besties I had as a kid and now because of Aunt Kristie, I have loved teddy bears for too many years. I love the article and I am shocked you still have those kitties. As old as I am now, I still have many huggable friends and love all of them. You’re a great writer !
Thanks, Suzanne! Remember how the two of us would arrange our stuffed animals “just so” on our beds? As if it was the most serious task of the day! Ha!
In my bedroom I still have Snuggles, the stuffed dog my sister made for me when I was about six, by cutting out a printed pattern on fabric and sewing the the two halves together, like a cushion. It’s unthinkable of ever throwing him away.
Congratulations on your new book, Elizabeth! I bet it will have lots of fans!
Thanks, Dave! It’s fun to hear about “Snuggles the Dog.” I’d love to see a picture!
You might delete this, but I agree with you about how important our childhood toys are. A few years ago I started a website http://www.saidtheskinhorse.com to celebrate these special toys. It’s a labor of love, I don’t make any money fron the site — it’s just a place for people to share pictures and sometimes stories of their favorite toys. Right now we have around 1,600 toys on the site!
Thank you for sharing, John! I appreciate this labor of love…